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William Hayes
12/12/1949 — 07/19/2025
From Richland, WA | Born in Coeur d'Alene, ID
William Hayes
My dad, William Robert Hayes, was born December 12, 1949, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to my grandparents, William W. Hayes and Inez B. Lee. He settled in Richland, Washington, where he built a life full of love and dedication to our family and community, leaving a legacy I’ll always cherish.
After high school, my dad answered the call to serve in the Vietnam War as a military police officer and sentry dog handler, bravely enduring 14 months of deployment from 1971 to 1972. That courage shaped who he was. When he came home, he earned his associate’s degree from Columbia Basin College, setting the foundation for an incredible career in public service. My dad started as a firefighter with the Richland Fire Department, where his passion and skill showed through. He went on to become the youngest deputy fire chief at the Hanford Fire Department, leading over 600 personnel and managed a multi-million-dollar budget with honesty and care. His leadership protected our community and inspired everyone around him until he retired in 2012.
When I was 2 years old, he adopted me during his marriage to my mom, Kathleen Hayes, and from that moment, he became the best dad ever. He poured his heart into raising me, guiding me through Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Order of the Arrow, and celebrating when I earned my Eagle Scout award. We camped under the stars countless times, building memories that will stay with me forever. He taught me to fish, and we made unforgettable trips salmon fishing in Canada and vacationing in Hawaii twice. My dad emphasized the importance of education, and when I earned my master’s degree in Switzerland, his smile was unforgettable. He was always there, full of wisdom and love.
Christianity was a big part of my dad’s life. We were baptized together at Bethel Church, a moment that brought us closer to God and showed his commitment to guiding me toward Jesus with love and grace. He read the Bible to me every night before bed.
In 2016, after I graduated high school, my dad and I celebrated with an amazing trip through the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. In China, he found new love and married my stepmom, Xiaoling Hayes, on August 30, 2016. Together, they created cherished memories, from vacations in Jamaica to a cruise to the British Virgin Islands, and their little dog Keisha who brought joy to their home.
My dad’s passions showed his vibrant spirit. He loved woodworking with his uncle in Richland, helped me create a scrapbook, taught me what an electromagnet was, and enjoyed fishing, gardening with his wife, and making memories with me. His love for our family was endless, and he always put us first, leaving a mark on my heart that will never fade.
His memory lives on through his loving wife, Xiaoling Hayes; me, his son, Jason Hayes; my children, Mary Hayes and Daniel Hayes; his brother, Patrick Hayes; his sister, Gloria Hutton; and numerous nephews and nieces. My dad’s love was without end, and I’ll forever remember the extraordinary man he was.
One of my most treasured memories is the trophy he gave me, inscribed with words from our favorite song: “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end, amen.” We miss you dad.
Love, Your boy
I’ve known Bill for over 50 years, meeting him upon his return from Viet Nam. He was a very sweet and gentle person. Years later, we worked together out at Hanford. Many fun memories. Hope your journey to heaven is as smooth as you deserve, old friend.
We will all miss you dear Uncle!
Jason- I was a friend of your. father and I worked with him closely in the 1990’s and beyond as DOE’s fire protection engineer. What you say of your father is very true; he was hard working, and dedicated and was always talking about you to me throughout the years. One of the things I enjoyed about him was his integrity and much more later his love for the Lord and you. He was very proud of your accomplishments obtaining multiple engineering degrees too. I knew about his many health issues over the years and how he overcame them with perseverance and humility. He was a humble person and always supported those around him, never taking the credit for those he helped succeed, that where above him. He was such an ally and a great confidant to me over the years when I worked directly with him and I could trust him in many matters. We will miss him but we do not grieve as those who have no hope in Christ. However we do grieve at their ‘home-going’ as they are absent from here, so may the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) be with you and all your loved ones during this time.
Knew him when working at Hanford. Good man. He will be missed!
So very sad to hear this news. I worked with your dad at the Hanford Fire Department. He was always kind to me, teaching me a lot about the department, I remember when he adopted you. He was so very proud of you and very proud to be your dad. Thinking of you and your family. So very sorry for your loss.
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William Hayes